Presumptive primary cardiac lymphoma in a cat causing pericardial effusion

We report a case of primary cardiac lymphoma in a cat, causing pericardial effusion. A 13-year-old castrated male Himalayan cat was evaluated for chronic weight loss and radiographic finding of cardiomegaly. Pericardial effusion and a heart mass were detected via echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate of the heart mass were performed under sedation. Antemortem diagnosis of cardiac lymphoma was made based on cytology of pericardial fluid. Based on physical examination, laboratory tests and abdominal radiographs, primary cardiac lymphoma was established as the presumptive clinical diagnosis. Treatment with chemotherapeutic agents was initiated.     

Biodegradable Drug Delivery Systems for Gentamicin Release and Treatment of Synovial Membrane Infection

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated two biodegradable drug delivery systems (BDDS) for elution of gentamicin and elimination of synovial membrane infection. STUDY DESIGN: The effect of BDDS on control and infected synovial explants was determined. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Synovial explants from four adult equine cadavers. METHODS: First, BDDS were placed in phosphate buffered saline for 14 days. Eluent was tested for gentamicin concentration (G) and bioactivity. Second, synovial explants were divided into four groups (n = 14/group): Group 1 (control); Group 2 (infected control) 405 cfu Staphylococcus aureus added at 6 hours; Group 3 (antibiotic BDDS [Ab-BDDS]) Ab-BDDS added at 24 hours; Group 4 (infected Ab-BDDS) 405 cfu S. aureus added at 6 hours, Ab-BDDS added at 24 hours. Both types of Ab-BDDS were used (n = 7/type/group). Explants were incubated in standard medium for 4 days. Medium was cultured and analyzed for (G) and hyaluronic acid concentration (HA). Explants were analyzed for viability and morphologic changes. RESULTS: The Ab-BDDS released >500 microg/mL of active gentamicin for 10 days. In Group 3, infection was eliminated within 24 hours, but histologic scores did not return to normal. Viability was significantly reduced by infection, but if eliminated, viability tended to return to normal. In Group 3, the Ab-BDDS had no significant effect on viability or (HA). Histopathologic scores were significantly higher for infected synovium. Infection, even if treated, significantly reduced (HA). CONCLUSIONS: Both Ab-BDDS eliminated infection within 24 hours. However, synovial morphology, viability and function did not return to normal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Ab-BDDS may be useful for treatment of synovial membrane infection.     

An Open Patch-Graft Technique for Correction of Pulmonic Stenosis in the Dog

An open patch-graft technique for correction of pulmonic stenosis was performed in four dogs. A synthetic patch-graft was presutured to a partial-thickness incision in the right ventricular outflow tract and to the pulmonary artery along its cranial border. The pulmonary artery and right ventricle were incised during venous inflow occlusion, and dysplastic pulmonic valve leaflets were excised. The arteriotomy was closed by suturing the caudal margin of the incision to the patch-graft. The entire procedure was performed during mild hypothermia (30 degrees - 32 degrees C). The mean circulatory arrest time was 5.5 +/- 0.2 minutes. The mean systolic pressure gradient across the pulmonic valve before surgery was 121 +/- 29 mm Hg; after surgery it was 9 +/- 2 mm Hg.     

THORACIC RADIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES IN 200 DOGS WITH SPONTANEOUS HEARTWORM INFESTATION

Thoracic radiographs of 200 dogs with spontaneously occurring heartworm disease were reviewed. Radiographs of 28 dogs (14%) were normal. In the remaining 172 dogs various combinations of cardiopulmonary abnormalties were found. The most frequently observed combination, noted in 61 of 200 dogs, was right ventricular, main pulmonary, and right cranial lobar pulmonary artery enlargemetn. Dogs with severe increse of one parameter generally had severe increase of the other two parameters also. One hundred five of the 200 dogs had a right cranial lobar pulmonary artery of normal size. Thus, right cranial lobar pulmonary artery size, when normal, is not a sensitive indicator of the absence of heartworm disease. There was a statistically significant positive relation between the size of the caudal vena cava and that of the right ventricle.     

A XERORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS IN THE METACARPOPHALANGEAL REGION OF TWO FOALS

Using xeroradiographic techniques, both metacarpophalangeal regions of six quarter horse foals were radiographed at 1 day of age and at 2-week intervals until they were 6 weeks old, and then at 4-week intervals until they were 12 months old. Lateromedial and dorsopalmar xeroradiographs of each metacarpophalangeal region were made per examination; dorsomedial-palmarolateral projections of the left metacarpophalangeal joint of foal 6 were also made. The foals were weighed and measured at the withers immediately prior to each examination. Representative xeroradiographs were selected to demonstrate progression of the osteochondrosis (OCH) lesions in two of these foals. Radiographic evidence of osteochondrosis in the metacarpophalangeal region was first detected at 10 weeks and followed through 12 months of age. In one foal the lesions were bilaterally symmetric and involved the dorsoproximal aspect of the sagittal ridge of metacarpal 3; in the other, the left medial proximal sesamoid bone was affected. One of the sagittal ridge lesions progressed to osteochondritis dissecans by 26 weeks; the other sagittal ridge lesion and that of the sesamoid bone healed spontaneously, but residual radiographic evidence of the disease persisted throughout the study in both foals.     

Use of transesophageal echocardiography for visualization of the patent ductus arteriosus during transcatheter coil embolization

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enhances our ability to see the patent ductus arteriosus in the dog. The improved visualization may potentially improve our ability to perform transcatheter coil embolization in patients that are more likely to have a successful outcome. This report uses still and video images to detail the specifics of coil embolization as performed with the assistance of TEE and compares the images with those of angiography, surgery and postmortem examination.